Annual Moose Licence Lottery Opens

More Nova Scotians will get licences to hunt moose this year.

Ten licences have been added for the third season in 2005, bringing the total number available for all seasons to 345.

"Last year we added a three-day winter season," said Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. "This year we are making 10 more licences available in that season to allow more Nova Scotians an opportunity to participate in moose hunting."

Phone lines for the annual moose licence lottery open on Friday, April 1 and will remain open until Tuesday, May 31.

As in previous years, hunters will have to choose a zone and a season to participate in the hunt. The Department of Natural Resources adopted the zone management system in 2003, introducing four zones in Victoria and Inverness counties -- the only counties in the province where moose hunting is permitted.

The first season takes place from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. The second season is open between Oct. 3 and Oct. 8. The third season starts on Dec. 13 and ends on Dec. 15.

In 2004, 11,354 people applied for 335 moose licences. Hunters took 284 moose, of which 222 were bulls and 62 were cows.

Detailed information on various hunt options is available at local Department of Natural Resources offices, in upcoming newspaper ads and on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/moosedraw .